The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.

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Have you ever dreamt of starting your own company? Start-ups, especially those in the technology and engineering industries, are popping up all across the country as more people are turning away from mega corporations.

Did you know there are several best cities to start a business? Heading to massive urban sprawls may not be the greatest idea if you're just getting started. If you are an entrepreneur ready to get into gear and set down roots, consider one of these metropolitan areas:

Austin

A haven for young professionals, trendy music and unbelievable Tex-Mex cuisine, Austin is a hotbed for new businesses. According to CNN Money, Austin was rated as the #1 Most Business-Friendly city because of its burgeoning arts and culture scene. Austin is the site of the annual South by Southwest music, entertainment and technology conference, so you know this uber-progressive city is welcoming to new ideas. In addition to that, the cost of living is 7 percent lower than the national average. Added bonus: Austin's average winter temperature is 56 degrees and summer's is 83 degrees!

Des Moines

The Midwest's darling, Des Moines was rated by Forbes magazine as the #1 Best Place for Business and Careers in 2013. You may be wondering: What does Des Moines have to offer? Well, the business costs in the city are 17 percent lower than the national average, meaning you'll need less capital to get going. It also has the highest concentration of financial services employment in the U.S., so you can be certain that people are going to catch onto the popularity of the Hawkeye State's capital quickly. Plus, the cost of living here is 9 percent less than the national average.

Raleigh

Boasting the highest net migration of any metropolis in the past five years, Raleigh was rated by Forbes, Entrepreneur and CNN Money as one of the best cities to start a business. This North Carolina city is close to Durham and Chapel Hill, which are both home to major research universities. In fact, the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park is one of the best development and research centers in the U.S. Plus, Raleigh was rated as "Exceptionally Livable" by AreaVibes, with an average cost of living that is 7 percent lower than the national average and a median household income that is 18 percent more than the state's.